University signs agreement with marae

A Hutt Valley marae has vowed to continue helping provide information to medical students at the University of Otago and will formalise the relationship.

The university will sign a Memorandum of Agreement with Kōkiri Marae and the Tū Kotahi Maori Asthma Trust endorsing their 30-year partnership.

Bridget Robson, the Associate Dean of Maori at the University of Otago campus in Wellington, says the relationship has also benefitted the Maori community in the Hutt Valley.

Ms Robson said an example of this was following research into access of dental care for Maori adults. The marae found a problem in its community following the research and set up payment plans with local dentists for Maori.